1. stay alert, note the car before you need make a short stop too. If you are very close the the front car, then brake at the same time as the front car.
2. If you really can't make it, steer to the left or right to give you more buffer space. Even 1 inch of space can save you the trouble sometimes.
Doing this, you can also leave some space for the guys behind you so you wont' get hit.
Anyway, there are quite some options there but you need a bit practice.